Senate Still In Stalemate, But Paterson Lets 'Em Go Home Today

There is no power-sharing deal between the Democrats and Republicans in the State Senate, however the NY Times says there's a thaw between the two bickering parties. After the Democratic and Republican leaders met with Paterson yesterday, the Times noticed, "There was a lightened mood — after weeks of insults and accusations that have shattered the chamber’s usual decorum — and suggestions of progress, however halting."

Espada said, "The difference is we are actually together and focused on the solution. We are no longer apart, throwing shots at each other from one side of the aisle to the other. We’re very focused on this." The Senators have been meeting without truly doing working (just gaveling in, reciting the Pledge of Allegiance and gaveling out), but yesterday, they all gave a standing ovation to Senator Owen Johnson (R-Long Island), who turned 80 years, prompting Eric Adams (D-Brooklyn) to shout, "We did something together!" That'd be funny if it weren't sad as well.

Paterson is appreciative that the two sides are talking. Originally, he had scheduled "extraordinary" Senate sessions for 3 p.m. today and tomorrow, but rescheduled today's to 11 a.m. and tomorrow's for 6 p.m., so some Senators may be able to go home and celebrate July 4th with their families. A Paterson aide told the Daily News, "The fact they are all in a room together talking things through is a sign of progress. Where it goes from there, I don't know." And the governor told the Times, "I think that they were surprised at how far you can get if there is someone sort of keeping the discussion in a place. They seemed to agree on resources. They seemed to agree on staffing. And they seemed to agree that in that respect, they are pretty split down the middle. Where they don’t agree is over this June 8th issue." You know, the coup itself!